The Executive Secretary of National Senior Secondary School Commission (NSSSC), Doctor Iyela Ajay has reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to the upgrade of Secondary Schools in Kogi State.
Doctor Ajayi stated this in Lokoja when he led management of the Commission on education tour to some Secondary Schools in Kogi State who were received by the State Commissioner of Education, Mr Wemi Jones.
The National Senior Secondary School Commission (NSSSC) was established with the aim of producing senior secondary school graduates with life skills and relevant academic qualifications for further studies.
Speaking during the visit, the Executive Secretary noted that the Federal Government under the former president, Muhamnadu Buhari discovered the need for establishment of regulatory agency for secondary schools, hence the inauguration of the Commission in April twenty twenty-one.
He maintained that Kogi State was lucky to be part of the benefiting states, noting that federal government is also committed to making intervention funds available for the development of Senior Secondary School education in the country.
According to him, the beneficiaries are expected to pay five percent counterpart fund before accessing the fund, stressing that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has passion for quality education.
Doctor Ajayi stated that National policies on education should be adhered to by all Schools, noting that the mandates of the Commission include; intervening in secondary education in terms of infrastructure, building of teachers’ capacity, enforcing standards among others.
While emphasizing the importance of Secondary education, the Executive Secretary said social vices at tertiary level will become a thing of the past if what is happening at Secondary level is controlled.
The Kogi State Commissioner of Education, Mr Wemi Jones while receiving the Executive Secretary of National Senior Secondary School Education Commission in his office said the state government is committed to bridging gaps in acquiring quality education.
Mr Jones noted that the State government in a bid to addressing these issues established two different state universities which include Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara and Kogi State University, Kabba, stressing that the Universities are functioning well.
The Commissioner maintained that Kogi State is passionate about quality education, saying that Bill for establishment of National Senior Secondary School Education board in the State has been passed into law by Kogi State House of Assembly which awaits Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s approval for the constitution of members of the board.
While appreciating the Executive Secretary of National Senior Secondary School Education Commission for his role at ensuring the bill was passed into law, the commissioner added that the government of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and the immediate past Governor of the State, Yahaya Bello have done a lot in the education sector by allocating thirty percent of staturatory budget to the sector.
